Dropper Bulb Assembly With Pre-Positioned Wiper for Filling Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of wipers into dropper systems complicates large-scale filling operations, leading to inefficiencies and increased production costs due to pre-filling and post-filling insertion methods, which slow down the process and require additional labor, resulting in reduced throughput and quality control issues.
Innovation Solution
A dropper system with a pre-positioned wiper integrated into the bulb and pipette assembly, where the wiper is removably coupled within an annular gap of the collar's flange, allowing for secure retention in the bottle neck during assembly, ensuring efficient and leak-proof operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wiper insert is integrated into the dropper system to control fluid dispensing and prevent leaks, then product quality and cleanliness are improved, but the filling process becomes more complex and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper is pre-positioned on the dropper assembly before the filling operation, rather than being inserted into the bottle after filling. This preliminary positioning allows the wiper to be attached to the dropper itself, eliminating the need for separate post-filling insertion steps and reducing filling process complexity while maintaining leak prevention functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper is nested within the annular recess of the flange, creating a compact integrated assembly where the wiper fits into the structural space already provided by the flange design. This nesting approach consolidates multiple components into a unified structure that simplifies the overall filling process
2Manufacturing precision
If a wiper insert is manually inserted after filling to ensure cleanliness, then product quality is improved, but labor intensity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dropper assembly is designed to self-retain the wiper through the annular recess structure, eliminating the need for manual insertion operations. The wiper is automatically held in place by the flange geometry, allowing the system to serve itself without requiring additional labor for wiper installation while maintaining precise dosing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper attachment function is merged with the existing flange structure of the dropper assembly. By integrating the wiper retention mechanism into the flange's annular recess, the design combines multiple functions (structural support, wiper retention, and dosing control) into a single unified component, reducing the need for separate manual operations
3Productivity
If a wiper is pre-positioned on the dropper assembly, then assembly efficiency is improved, but the wiper must be securely retained to prevent leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper is pre-positioned on the dropper assembly before filling, allowing secure attachment to the flange structure in advance. This preliminary positioning ensures the wiper is firmly retained through the annular recess design before the filling process begins, maintaining seal integrity while enabling efficient assembly operations
Solution Approach 2:
The annular recess of the flange acts as an intermediary structure that secures the wiper to the dropper assembly. This intermediate feature provides a mechanical interface that holds the wiper in place, ensuring reliable retention and preventing leakage while allowing for efficient pre-positioning during assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A dropper system comprises a bulb having a body, a collar, and a flange. The body of the bulb comprises a closed end, an open end opposing the closed end, and a cavity extending between the closed end and the open end. The collar extends axially from the open end of the body and comprises a pipette coupling member that is recessed into an inner surface of the collar. The pipette coupling member is configured to retain at least a portion of a pipette proximate the cavity of the body. The inner surface is tapered between the pipette coupling member and an opening of the collar. The flange extends radially from an outer surface of the collar and comprises a lip protruding axially about a perimeter of the flange such that an annular recess is formed between the outer surface of the collar and the lip.